War on Terrorism

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

What Extremists are Saying

On 11 September 2006, a jihadist website attributed to the Islamic Renewal Organization posted several links to Al-Sahab Media Production's 76-minute interview with Ayman al-Zawahiri, second-in-command in Al-Qa'ida.

At the beginning of the videotape, the following note appears: "In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate." "Warning: We do not allow the airing of this videotape with music; we urge everybody to abide."

Then, Al-Zawahiri, wearing a white robe and turban, appears on the screen while the voice of an unidentified interviewer who does not appear throughout the interview is heard.

The following is the full translation of Al-Zawahiri's statement:

[Unidentified interviewer] In the name of God and thanks be to God and prayers and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad, his kinfolk, companions, and followers.

Dear Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahiri: Peace be upon you.

[Al-Zawahiri] Peace be upon you.

[Interviewer] Al-Sahab Media Productions is pleased to hold its second interview with you almost a year after its first interview. It has been five years since the blessed raids of New York and Washington and many events have happened since our first interview. So, we welcome you, our dear shaykh, as Al-Sahab's guest. We pray God that this interview would clear facts and include a benefit to the mujahidin, Muslims, and every free person seeking justice.

[Al-Zawahiri] Amen. We pray God that this would happen.

[Interviewer] Dear Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahiri: The fact is that we have many important and serious issues which we hope to discuss. We have Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Algeria, the United States, and the situation in Arab and Islamic countries and others. So, how about if we start talking about Lebanon and Palestine?

[Al-Zawahiri] Very well; go ahead.

[Interviewer] How do you comment on this clear-cut injustice in Lebanon and Gaza and what is the duty of Muslims in this connection?

[Al-Zawahiri] In the name of God and thanks be to God and prayers and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad, his kinfolk, companions, and followers. This injustice and oppression is a clear feature of the features of the Crusader-Zionist aggression against the Muslim nation. When three Israeli soldiers were captured, all of the Crusaders rushed to support Israel. Whereas the fact that there are 10,000 Palestinians sitting in prisons of the Jewish occupation of Muslim Palestine, including almost 700 women and children, does not make neither the Crusaders nor the United Nations, the international false witness, act.

The Muslim nation should come forward with all that is at its disposal to aid its Muslim brothers in Lebanon and Gaza -- all according to their capabilities. The strongest image depicting support for our Muslim brothers in both countries is represented by attacking the interests of the Jews, Crusaders, and those collaborating with them. The Israeli shells and rockets which roast the flesh of our children come from the nations of the Crusader west which have been supporting Israel since its establishment. The materialistic Crusader western civilization knows not the language of ethics and principles but understands the language of punishment and retribution. So, if they taste some of what they are inflicting on our women and children, then they will start giving up their arrogance, stubbornness, and greed and will seek to solve the problem between them and the Muslims.